Content map for seamlessly skipping a retrieval of a segment of a video

ABSTRACT

A variable content video comprising a video and a segment map, the segment map defining a plurality of video segments of the video responsive to at least one preestablished content category, the segment map providing information for a video system to automatically select, retrieve, and transmit as a continuous video, video segments from the plurality of video segments responsive to a preference with respect to the at least one preestablished content category. The content category may be a category of possibly unsuitable content such as violence. The plurality of video segments may comprise parallel segments to provide greater variety in the level of explicitness. In an embodiment the variable content video is stored in a memory device such as a portable laser readable memory.

This is a division of Ser. No. 07/832,335 filed Feb. 7, 1992.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an automated control system and method thatfurnishes viewers with individualized automated editing and retrievalcapabilities over the contents and length of a variable content videoprogram in order to produce a transparently continuous and completeshow. The system capabilities include an automated flexible controlsystem design that enables an operator to selectively apply differentediting criteria to the variety of subject matters that may be containedwithin the program. The system controls also include an automatedcapability for efficiently previewing program scenes of pre-identifiedcategories and classes of subject matter and a capability fordetermining their inclusion in the program seen by the viewer.

Finally, the control system provide a keyword/menu segment/programretrieval facility from an existing program and program database, and arequesting capability for programs to be produced according toviewer-specified requirements.

2. Background of the Prior Art

Artistic expression in films often surrender to the requirements ofmarketing and other forms of censorship, both subtle and obvious.Individual viewers once they elect to view a program, subject themselvesto the results of this censorship or lack thereof.

One form of industry censorship is content rating which is a labelattributed to each film by the Motion Picture Association of America("MPAA"). The label serves as a broad generalized guide for the publicas to the overall level of "objectionable" content, as the MPAA definesvarious types of content that may be included in a movie. In the MPAApublished booklet "The Voluntary Movie Rating System", the MPAA spellsout the purpose of the rating system: "if you are 17 or over, or if youhave no children, the rating system has no meaning for you. Ratings aremeant for parents, no one else." Accordingly, the rating system used bythe MPAA has adopted a generalized structure that has inherentlimitations since it admittedly has ignored the varying sensibilitiesand tastes among different adults e.g. non-parents, young adults, orsenior citizens. The rating system is thus inadequate for a largeportion of the viewing public. Nonetheless, any reviews that may havebeen obtained, the public must elect the option of viewing the film ornot. Having decided to do so, the viewer, must accept the content of thefilm in its entirety.

User content requirements may also include the knowledge level requiredto view the program, its level of detail and complexity such as would bethe case in educational programs. In programs that include a number ofsegments such as is generally the case with news programs, there is nochoice provided to the user as to the viewing of only the user specifiedprogram segments. Similarly, while the viewer has the option to truncatethe length of a program by either terminating viewing the program, or ifrecorded to fast-forward certain scenes, there is no option of receivinga program at a user specified length.

Presently, all form of viewer editing, such as permitted by the use of aVCR, requires the interactive participation of the viewer and someknowledge as to the location of the scene in question.

Many methods and systems found in the prior art do not incorporatedcurrent basic technology and methods to produce an automatic viewerediting capability that produces transparently complete program.

For example, the patent to Von Kohorn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,404,discloses a remote recording and editing system. In particular, theinvention discloses an editing system whose functions include theactivation or deactivation of a television receiver and a recordingapparatus by the transmission of control or editing command signals,generated from a central station where an operator monitors a broadcasttransmission. The receiver and recorders in a viewer's home are providedwith inhibiting circuitry that respond to the transmitted controlsignals from the central station to prevent the re-broadcast orrecording of unwanted material in the home.

The patent to Chard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,964, discloses a televisioncontroller that utilizes coding for identifying and automaticallydeleting undesirable sound and visual events broadcast with a program.The content signals associated with Chard also teaches that undesirableevents are graded to permit editing according to personal taste.

Also, the patent to Olivo, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,796, discloses ascreening device capable of automatically disabling the TY or videoreceiving device in response to the receiver's recognition of anon-interfering material content signal co-transmitted with the programsignals.

However, Yon Kohorn, Chard, and Olivo, have various drawbacks. Thematerial content signal may only be applied to portions of a programsignal, in order to edit out only the objectionable parts of a program.Thus by disabling the replay of segments of the program material, thesemethods ignore the fact that dead segments would result from the editedout segments. Also, while Chard suggests setting grading levelsindependently for sound (four levels) and vision (four levels), it doesnot teach providing grading levels for a variety of subject matters.Additionally, while Olivo, illustrates incorporating the ratingstructure provided by the MPAA for the programs, and suggesting thatdifferent material content signals can distinguish between differentforms of subject matter, it does not teach using a number of differentratings for each class of subject matter. In this regard, Vogel'sdisclosure of three broad classifications (advertisement, non-programmaterial, restricted) does not enhance Olivo. The above teachingstherefore together show a method whose rating structure is based on theMPAA rating system applied to different subject matters. However, aspreviously discussed, the MPAA rating system was designed and intendedas an overall program guide for parents. The MPAA rating system does notby, deliberate design, address segment specific subject matterinformation that is required to provide adults with a highlydiscriminatory control over the content of segments contained within theselected program.

The patent to Vogel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,160, addresses the abovedeficiency by providing a facility for displaying alternative materialduring the dead segments. The alternative material selected duringcensorship periods can originate from a remote source, for example,another television broadcast, or locally, for example, from a video diskor tape player. The local source may also simply be a black signalgenerator which essentially reproduces the same drawback noted above. Analternate source to a dead segment may also be provided by the systemdisclosed in Boyd et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,727. Boyd teaches a methodfor forming a substantially continuous composite video signal bycombining a video segment received from a video signal with a videosegment produced from digital data.

The patent to Lindstrom, U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,068, discloses an opticallaser disc based broadcasting method and system wherein promotionalsegments of a program are played from the same source recordings as theprogram itself. Lindstrom discloses utilizing at least two disc playersin timed synchronization to generate a transparently continuous videosignal.

The patent to Kiesel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,044, discloses a plurality ofvideo tape recorders that similarly provide for continuous replaywithout the need for creating a master tape.

Neither Lindstrom nor Kiesel however teach a single player that canprovide transparently continuous video signals, nor do these referencessuggest utilizing a control system that provides a variety of differentand complete edited versions of the same program obtained from the samesingle source recording.

Neither Boyd nor Vogel, however, provide a system that creates, from asingle source, a viewer-edited transparently continuous and harmoniousprogram that replaces a dead segment with other parts of the sameprogram.

Generally, to the extent that the above patents act to censor a videoprogram they direct themselves to providing viewer control over the formof the expression. This is in contrast to those patents, that provideviewers the means to participate, and thereby affect, the program'sstory lines or plot. An example of the latter type of patent is Best,U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,026. Which discloses a video entertainment systemwhere human viewers conduct simulated voice conversations with screenactors or cartoon characters in a branching story game shown on atelevision screen. Best is further characterized by the interactivenature of viewer participation, since at frequent points in the game thesystem presents the viewer with two or more alternatives. Is theinteractive participation of the viewer that sustains the logicalprogression of the game. As many games are directed at children, and areeducational in nature, or contain primitive subject matter, they havenot dealt with issues raised by the more complex adult forms ofexpression inherent in contemporary films. Games have provided setupediting capabilities (selection of: level of difficulty, character,weapons, etc.), not censoring editing capabilities.

The present art thus fails to suggest combining interactive and set upcapabilities, automated editing capabilities, and directing capabilitiesto provide the user with control over a program's story line, content,and form of expression.

The patent to Freeman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,072, discloses a method forexpanding interactive CATV displayable choices for a given channelcapacity. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a programsegment stacking method and a subscriber profile utilized to transmitone of a plurality of the stacked program segments. The subscriber'sselection profile disclosed therein is demographic in character and canbe changed from the head end of the transmission, and not editorial andcontrolled by the viewer. Further, the method of Freeman teaches thatthe stacked segments beginning at any one moment of time to be of equalduration to restore the transmission to the common prerecordedtelevision message. This structure, which serves Freeman's objectives oftailoring advertising to the demographics of the viewer, is inferior toa variable length stacking structure that would provide far superiortailoring of the program content.

The patent to Bohn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,638, shows a market researchsystem for substituting stored television programs for regularlyscheduled, broadcast television programs having a particularidentification code wherein the substitute television programs may betransmitted via telephone lines to the households of cooperatingpanelists for storage. The operational difference between Freeman andBohn is the method of transmitting the alternate advertising segment tothe viewer. In Freeman different advertising segments arecontemporaneously transmitted during the broadcast of the program, whilein Bohn differing advertising segments are transmitted prior to thebroadcast of the program. Bohn teaches the use of a laser disc to storethe substitute television advertising. Based on the identification codecontained in the broadcast program a controller may substitute thebroadcasted advertisement.

The patent to Skutta, U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,924, discloses a method forthe remote-controlled replacement of a TV advertising spot by anotheradvertising spot for a new product to be tested.

The teachings of the above references would not furnish a system thatprovides each viewer with automated non-previewed control over theprogram content from a single program source by a single device thatgenerates a transparently seamless program matching the viewerspre-established content requirements. Among the additional elements andenhancements required by such a system would be producing and providingcoherent parallel and overlapping program segments. Some of theseparallel segments differ only in the form of expression (i.e.explicitness) of a given scene.

The patent to Hashimoto, U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,549, discloses a method ofgenerating an individualized listing of programs that meet an individualviewers stated program preferences. This is accomplished on the basis ofa generalized survey of a viewers program classification preferences andviewer response to the list selected.

The patent to Hallenbeck, U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,211, relates to television(TV) program schedule guides and in particular to a method and apparatusfor efficiently transmitting, receiving and storing television programschedule information. In Hallenbeck, schedule information is retainedthat meets predetermined selection criteria to minimize storage andprocessing requirements.

The above patents do not suggest viewer direct selection of a programfrom a variety of programs by means of a database architecture thatwould permit keyword and interactive menu searches.

The patent to Monslow, U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,078, teaches a televisionbroadcast system using land lines for the real time transmission of aviewer chosen program. The patent to Way, U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,694, isentitled "Fiber optic cable television distribution system". The patentto Walter, U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,387, discloses a programming on demandfiber optic based system. These patents together with the referencescited therein teach a variety of land line and fiber optic transmissionof programs with varying degrees of viewer capabilities in the selectionof programs. While these do not teach transmission of a variable contentprogram, said works are, incorporated by reference herein to establishthat such a transmission is possible and to assist the reader interestedin obtaining a more detailed disclosure of the hardware of such systemsthan is necessary to provide here.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing shortcomings of the prior art, it is evidentthat there exists a need for a system that furnishes viewers withindividualized automated non-previewed control over a program's contentin a single program source, and broadcast on a viewing device, by atransmitting device that generates a transparently seamless videoprogram matching the viewers preestablished content requirements.

It is also an object of the present invention to include thecapabilities for automatically selecting among parallel and overlappingsegments to provide a video program that is highly responsive to viewercontrol over its content. A further object of the invention is toprovide content control that includes any of the following: theprogram's form of expression, subject matter, element development,expertise level, detail level, and program length.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a TV control systemwhere the control is exercised automatically, by means of apreestablished content preference structure and keyword subject listing,individualized for each viewer and subject to password control by asystem administrator. This first form of control is applied universallyto each selected program content map. Each map contains detailedinformation as to the location and program characteristics, such ascategories and subject matter, of the various segments of the program.The second form of control may be established interactively andindividually with each selected program prior to initiating viewing.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide the capabilityfor efficiently previewing selected scenes in order to indicate theirinclusion for viewing. Inclusion/exclusion control is automaticallyaccomplished by modification of the program content map as may berequired for example by a parent editing a children's program.Additionally, the viewer accessible copy of the program's content mapmay be modified contemporaneously with the viewing of the program,generating a variety of any one of the following preselected automatedsystem responses: updating the copy of the program's content map,skipping to the next logical segment, or any combination of the two. Theskipping to the next logical segment feature may be accessedindependently without affecting the content map.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide automatedcapabilities to efficiently view only a specified class, category, orsubject matter included in segments within the selected program orprograms.

It is also an object of the invention, to provide information as to theviewer preference structure and the program content map to which it wasapplied to assist in determining viewer preferences.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide viewers themeans of accessing available programs, segments from a program, and orsegments from a plurality of programs by the use of keyword or aclassification tree structure as would be required by a user accessing avery large program or segment database.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide the means for aviewer to detail the subject matter, story line, and or general contentof a desired program so that producers of programs may elect to produceand provide said program.

Briefly these and other objects of the invention are accomplished by asystem comprising: program production, editing, and recordingtechniques, assignment to segments of a program the appropriatedescriptors and creating a map of those segments and their descriptors,a structure to record the viewer's content preferences, the means bywhich the user content preference structure is matched to the programs'scontent map to produce the desired program, means of accessing andretrieving programs, and means of indicating program preferences.

With these and other features, advantages and objects of this invention,the invention is shown in the detailed description of the invention andin the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a video segment rating chart for subject matter as per thepresent invention;

FIG. 1B is video segment rating chart for elements as per the presentinvention;

FIG. 1C is a video segment rating chart for inclusion as per the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram representing the steps of producing avariable content program of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a set of diagrams and rating chart of three versions of avideo segment, each a variation of the other as per the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a sample viewer scene selection screen of a program's contentrating as per the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the video disk player as per thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart summarizing the process of a laser videodiscplaying as per the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein segments refers to a sequence of frames. The segment orframe sequence may form a single image, a shot, a scene, or a sequenceof scenes. Any number of segments that may comprise a program may belogically organized by means of the programs segment map. Program refersherein to any image displayed on any device including but not limited totelevisions, CRT, film screens; and transmitted to the device by anynumber of means including but not limited to broadcast, cable,telephone, fiber optic network, tape, videodisc, magnetic media, memorydevices, chips and modules.

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like parts aredesignated by like reference numerals, throughout, FIG. 1A illustratesan example of the generalized rating structure 100 utilized to reviewthe contents of each segment contained in a given program. The structureof chart 100 includes a number of categories 102 that might apply tomost films. The generalized rating scale 104 mirrors the rating systemutilized by the Motion Picture Association of America (GeneralAudiences,Parental Guidance Suggested, Parents Strongly cautioned,Restricted, No Children Under 17 Admitted, G,PG,PG-13,R,NC-17respectively), but provides a more descriptive rating scale for thegroup, as shown. Each number in the matrix 106 in the chart 100represents the particular scene rating choices for a specific scene orsegment. A more individualized rating scale for each of the categoriesis also available as will be described below with respect to FIG. 1C.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, the contents of a segment may be furtherrepresented by chart 200 in order to analyze the development of a numberof elements 202 such as character, location, and time, as well as thedegree of detail 204 and the level of expertise 206 that may beappropriate for a program. These elements are provided at a variety oflevels and are rated accordingly. FIG. 1B for example indicates that theprogram's character element development may range from none toextensive.

Referring to FIG. 1C, a separate category 300 provides criteria forcondensed versions of the program. In this chart, the segments may beclassified according to the level of inclusion/exclusion that the usermay desire 302. The ratings indicates if the segment is required for ahighlight, summary, condensed, or detailed versions 304 of the program.In a similar manner, an individualized tailored and descriptive ratingscale may be provided for any one category or group of categories.

In a preferred embodiment, each segment is analyzed as to subject matterand assigned the necessary keyword to provide effective keywordretrieval and additional user viewing control capabilities. This will beof significant value in retrieving video segments from a programdatabase ("programbase"), such as may be constructed from a collectionof news or educational programs, where each program comprises a numberof segments each a whole in itself.

Keyword indexing of the segments provides the capability for inhibitingthe viewing of undesirable subject matter, or assisting in the retrievalof desirable subject matter, where the rating structure may notadequately cover a specified category or subject matter. For example, aviewer may not desire viewing scenes of a flag burning. Key word controlwould inhibit the segments containing that scene or scenes from beingviewed by that particular viewer. Alternatively, a key word search wouldpermit a system user to efficiently retrieve all flag burning segmentsthat may be included in the programbase.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C are examples of an overall framework for segmentanalysis, the actual structure and complexity utilized may be highlytailored, as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 1C, by the producer of aprogram to reflect the specific content of a program without beinglimited by the structures which may be found to be commonly utilized inother works. Each program producer is offered the flexibility within theoverall architecture of this rating system to determine and include onlythose categories that may be relevant to a particular program, and toadd categories as the producer requires. Similarly, the producer isoffered some flexibility in determining the labelling of the ratingscale.

Meeting the objectives of being able to provide both a standardized setof rating structures that will permit the automatic application of aviewers preestablished preference structure on a variety of programs,and provide the producer of the program the flexibility described above,are accomplished by assigning unique classification codes to each set ofpreestablished standardized categories and by reserving a range ofclassification codes that will be recognized by the system as requiringinteractive input by the viewer. In the example of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C,codes ending in 9, codes with a tens digit being a 9, and or codes from900 to 999 ("producer code") are reserved as independent of the standardcategories shown.

Producer codes would signal the system to elicit the viewer preference.Similarly, as the rating scale is relative in structure, differentdescriptions for any category rating scale might be utilized withoutaffecting the applicability of a preestablished viewer preferencestructure for that category. In instances where the rating scale is notaccommodated by the standardized structure supplied, the producer needonly assign a producer code and build whatever scale he may deemdesirable, from a simple "Yes/No" to a sophisticated three dimensionalrepresentation.

Additionally, commands may be issued by the program to inhibit theapplication of a preestablished viewer preference structure and requirethe viewer to address the program's segment rating structure regardlessof the category codes utilized.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention a view of the method for mapping the scenes 400 is provided.Each scene or fragment of a scene on a video script is reviewed 430according to a producer-selected segment rating structure, as indicatedin FIGS. 1A-1C above. The screenwriter now has the freedom to expand thescenes to cover a wider rating range without the concern for thelimitations inherent in the present art. Without the artificiallimitations that a program fit a specified time frame, the screenwritermay additionally expand scenes to provide whatever level of detail ordevelopment they may desire. Additionally, the screenwriter may elect toprovide any number of scene options and or transitions to each of thescenes identified 340.

Most scenes can be constructed by means of transition segments toprovide for content at varying points of the grading scale and or theavoidance of a particular segment and yet retain harmony with thepreceding and following segments. It should be noted that any given ideaor scene may be expressed in a variety of forms, whether implied as inthe closing of a bedroom door, to the graphic treatment as might befound in an "X" rated film. Both of these versions may be provided asparallel segments in a program, challenging the artist to create greatervariety in the form of expression permitting the viewer to decide forthemselves the level of censorship that they may desire.

A successful filming of this architecture 450 is a function of the skillof the director(s), actors, animators, etc. that may be required toprovide for parallel and transition segments with the requiredtransparent harmony.

Existing program editing requires producing a unique linear sequence ofsegments. The editing of the present invention 460 requires a parallelnon-sequential logical arrangements of segments. It should be emphasizedthat the art of program editing under the present invention transferscensorship and time constrained editing decision making from theproducer to the viewer.

The beginning frame and end frame in each of the relevant segments isidentified, the segment content is assigned a descriptor as per thecategory and rating structure, and logical entry and exit references areassigned 470. Any given segment may be assigned a variety of categorycodes and keywords ("category codes"), and the segment assigned acategory code may be congruent in one or more frames with a segmentassigned a different category code. Where necessary, a video segment maybe associated with more than one audio segment and correspondingseparate voice and video category codes may be provided. The complexityof the arrangement is only limited by the requirements, desires, skill,intelligence, hardware, and software available to the program editor.

The resulting segment information is mapped and the required userinterface produced 480 to permit the viewer, by selecting the desiredrating level in each of the categories, to view a unique continuoussequence of segments consistent with the designated viewer preferencestructure.

Programs which have been already produced would not offer the sameparallel and transition segments, and other opportunities, available toprograms produced under this system. A program may, however, nonethelessbe mapped to provide an editing-out capability to produce, if notentirely transparently, a continuous program.

To further explain the methods of the present invention, and referringto FIG. 3, and consistent with definitions established at the outset,illustrated is a program consisting of five scenes 501, each scene ofthe program may comprise any number of segments 502, each segment mayinclude any number of frames 503. In this example, scene three includesfour segments, segment 3b begins at frame 4112 and ends at frame 6026.The next segment, 3c, begins at frame 6027. Brakes between set of framesserve to illustrate the beginning and ends of a segment and not toindicate a non-continuous transmission.

Segment 3b of scene three 511, which might generate an "R" rating for anentire program, includes frames depicting explicit bloodshed. In thisexample the rating of the segment is indicated by the numeral 3 in theappropriate cell 521 of that segments rating chart.

To provide for the option of editing-out the explicit bloodshed, theprogram content map includes an additional segment definition beginningat frame 4112 and ending at frame 5205. The end of this segment 512 islinked to a new transitional segment 513 beginning at frame 35205 andending at 35350, the end of which is linked to frame 6027. In thisfashion, frames are omitted and added to provide a continuoustransparent edited version of segment 3b. This frame sequence isassociated with the corresponding segment content rating to indicate theabsence of bloodshed 522. In all other respects the segments 512/513 isequivalent to the original segment 511. For programs produced prior tothe present invention, the editing-out would work in a like mannerexcept that the transitional segment 513 would not be available to makethe continuous transmission from frame 5206 to 6027 transparent.

To provide for the option to include a graphic level of bloodshed, theprogram content map includes an additional segment definition. In thiscase, only 66 frames of the "original" segment 511 are deleted toaccommodate the graphic bloodshed included in segment 516 beginning atframe 35351 and ending at frame 38975. This frame sequence (514 to 516to 515) is associated with the appropriate segment content rating 523.

In this manner, parallel and transitional segments provide a ratingselection mix ranging from a segment excluding bloodshed 522 to asegment including graphic bloodshed 523, as well as the segmentincluding explicit bloodshed. As a result, the particular scene of whichthese segments are a part may be viewed at any of the three ratinglevels.

A scene may include subject matter of more than one category. In suchcases overlapping segments and transitional segments may be provided topermit viewing of one subject matter at one rating level and viewing ofanother subject matter at another level. For example, barroom brawl ofthe first westerns were violent but devoid of bloodshed. A current "R"program may result from the contents of twenty or more segments, whichwould generate forty to sixty additional parallel and transitionalsegments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a program's content rating chart. This chart mergeseach of the segment's content ratings of the program for each category.For example, the category bloodshed indicates options to omit theviewing of bloodshed in the program or include explicit or graphicsegments 541. Depicted by bold boxes is the viewer selected level foreach category 542. The viewer in this case has elected to omit bloodshedin his/her viewing of the program. Each of the viewer's selections maymodify or automatically add to the viewer preference structure that isinternally saved by the system and applied to other programs thatinclude the same category codes.

The software routines that elicit viewer preference may be asconceptually simple as that illustrated in FIG. 4. A screen display ofthe program's categories and the optional rating levels and theappropriate viewer selection requests 543. The viewer indicates thecategory and desired viewing level by depressing a numeric key on theplayer's remote control unit 544. Indicated on the screen is thefunction in this context of the control unit command keys. In thisillustration, depressing the "Pause" key 545 will cause the display ofcontext sensitive "Help" screens. Context sensitive functions and labelof the keys of the control unit enhances the level of communication ofthe limited number of control keys.

In simplified terms, any segments with a rating higher (abstract) thanthe viewer-selected rating for a given category would not be included inthe program produced for the viewer. The segment selected for viewing (arating level equal to or next lowest rating) provides the next segmentbeginning frame information. This will skip over parallel segments of alower rating than the viewed segment.

As indicated at the outset, the architecture of the system is intendedto be hardware independent. That is, a variety of hardware, firmware,and software architectures are possible in the implementation of thepresent invention. An example of such an implementation of an aspect ofthe present invention relies on the use of existing laser video diskrandom access technology to provide the basic apparatus to transmitvideo information from a single video disk source to a television. Thetechnology supporting a video disk implementation is well established inthe art, in fact the hardware required and its operation mirrors thatextensively disclosed in the patent to Best (cited previously) and byreference incorporated herein. Therefore, reviewed here and illustratedin FIG. 5 are only those elements of particular interest to the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the video disk player of the present inventionenhances existing readily available video disk player unit 601 andrandom access technology 602 by including video buffers 612 ofsufficient size to permit random positioning of the head (measured inmicroseconds) to retrieve subsequent frame information from thevideodisc without altering the transmission of the required frames persecond to provide a transparently continuous video signal transmissionto the monitor.

In addition, the video disk player includes a number of computingelements readily available in personal computers to add data retrievaland processing capability. These capabilities permit the controlprograms to manage the logical retrieval of data and video information.The control program 621, installed in firmware or memory, utilizes microprocessor 603 and resident memory 604 to manage the random disk headcontroller 602 in the retrieval of data 631 and video information 611.

Upon a "play" command, the control program causes the retrieval 631 ofthe program specific routines 632, and program content map 633 from thevideo/data disk. The disk contains the map of the program segments, anyuser interface routines particular to the program, and player controlcodes, in a format similar to that required by the actual programcontained therein. Where the player and the disk include writecapabilities, whether in a format similar to the program information orsupplementary, as is for example provided by the magnetic architecturedisclosed in the patent to Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,151 incorporatedherein by reference, the control program 621 may store in the disk theviewer content preference structure 651 as it relates to the videoprogram contained therein. The control program's storage of userspecific information on a video disk is conceptually similar to thestorage of user information in game cartridges.

The control program 621, enhanced by the program routines 632, causesthe retrieval of the viewer preference structure 651 from either thedisk, the player's resident memory 604, fixed storage subsystem 652(e.g. hard disk drive), removable storage subsystem 653 (e.g. microfloppy disk), or by means of the viewer control interface 654. Thelatter described in more detail in connection with FIG. 6.

Where the player contains a fixed storage subsystem 652 or removablestorage subsystem 653, as indicated above, user information associatedwith a program may be stored therein, such that upon replay of aprogram, the player software would read the program's identifier, searchthe storage for a corresponding viewer preference structure, and uponviewer confirmation, would apply the stored viewer preference structureto the program content map.

The control program 621 generates a segment table 622 based on theintegration of the video program's content map 633 and the viewerspreference structure. The segment table provides the segment scheduler623 the data to cause the ordered retrieval of only the video segmentconsistent with the viewer preferences. The video segments are thentransmitted in a transparently continuous manner 615 through the monitorinterface 616 to the monitor 617.

Depending on memory and processing capacity of the video disk player,retrieval of data from the appropriate sectors of the video disk,memory, or drives need not be completed prior to initiating transmissionof segments of the video program. Specifically the program's contenttable may be logically segmented to permit concurrent processing andsegment table generation with video transmission.

The video disk player's control interface 654 includes communications tothe buttons and keys located on the cabinet of the disk player and tothe associated control devices. The existing keys provided in thesedevices are augmented by the following keys or functions, as previouslydisclosed in FIG. 4,: segment skipping control, preference structurecontrol, segment mapping control, and system menu control.

The viewer control interface 654, in addition to supporting infraredremote control units 655, may support a keyboard 656. The keyboard, asin a personal computer implementation, facilitates system setup, keywordretrieval, and other system functions requiring the entry of alphacharacters. A keyboard connector used to connect a standard AT keyboardor any dedicated keyboard may be supplied, or an infrared based keyboardmay be implemented instead or in addition. The viewer control interfacemay also support voice recognition 657. Existing technology canaccommodate the few commands, such as play, stop, mute, sound, skip,required to control the basic operation of the video disk player.

In a fiber optic implementation, as will be described below, the videodisk player/computer is transformed into an intelligent videoretriever/transmitter ("VRT") by adding a two way fiber opticcommunication interface 691. In a such an implementation, the dataretrieval 631 and the video retrieval 611 will be from a source externalto the video disk player.

The above described player and disk architecture permits a viewer tointeractively modify or create their unique program segment map. Forexample, a consumer may keyword code the subject matter of the consumerproduced video segments (home videos). The keyword code permits thecomputer assisted retrieval of the selected segments and creation ofuser defined content maps and indexes. A user-defined index would spanthe consumer's personal library of such videos, facilitating greaterutilization.

Referring now to the flow chart of FIG. 6, the steps 700 comprising themethod for operating a video disk ("disk") on a laser video disk player("player") of the present invention, are detailed. The more enhancedversion of the laser video disk player of the present invention includescommonly found personal computer elements such as a computer chip,memory, fixed and removable storage, video buffers, firmware, andsoftware to permit the player to behave as a program-specific personalcomputer. For simplicity these elements and their capabilities arecommonly identified herein as the "processor".

Beginning at step 701, the viewer inserts into the player of the presentinvention the desired disk. Upon selection of the play function 702, theplayer's processor will issue a command to read the viewer control setupof the player to ascertain if viewer control is enabled 703. If enabled,the player's handshaking routines will request viewer identificationand, if required a corresponding password 704. If the vieweridentification and password are not found acceptable 705, theappropriate error message is transmitted to the television 706, and theplayer is returned to a state prior to the viewer play request 702.

If the viewer identification and password are found acceptable 705, theprocessor checks for other restrictions to a user access 707. Theseadditional restrictions include: time of day restrictions for the user,accumulated usage during specified time frames. If restrictions areenabled that prevent usage 707, the appropriate error message istransmitted to the television 709, and the player is returned to a stateprior to the viewer play request 702. The user-permission capabilityenables a parent to have complete control over the use of the player.

If viewer control is not enabled 703, or if enabled, verification of theuser 705 and verification of restrictions permit usage 707, theprocessor instructs the player to read from the disk programidentification data 711. Based on the program identification data, whichin addition to including a unique identification code may also containqualitative and classification program information, the processor willthen search to see if an existing viewer preference table for theidentified viewer is available at step 712. Otherwise at step 713, theplayer reads the program category listing structure supplied from thevideo disk and determines if a viewer preference is established for eachof the program categories. Once viewer preference structure exist, theprocessor verifies set up status for editing privileges 714, so that theviewer has editing privileges for the class of programs to which thepresent program belongs and the categories included therein, and editingis to be exercised upon the play request. The processor may simplytransmit to the television a viewer request to indicate if the existingpreference structure is to be edited 715. If at step 714 edit privilegesare not available for the viewer, the processor will initiate normalplay routines 721. If the viewer indicates that no editing privilegesare to be exercised 715, than the processor will initiate normal playroutines 721 as well; otherwise, editing of the viewer preferencestructure occurs at step 718. The edited viewer preference structure isinteractively verified 719 until an adequate category preference matchas required by the program is established or the viewer selects to exit.Exiting at 719 returns the player to a state prior to the viewer playrequest 702.

If a viewer preference structure for the login viewer for the program isnot available 712 or at least one of the categories of the program isnot contained in the viewer preference structure 713, then the processorwill verify if edit privileges are available for the viewer for theclass of programs and the categories 716. If no edit privileges areavailable, then the processor transmits an error message 717 to thetelevision and returns the player to a state prior to the viewer playrequest 702. If edit privileges are available, then editing of theviewer preference structure is available at step 718.

Editing the viewer preference structure at 718 is supervised by theprocessor to insure that viewer modifications are consistent with thepermissions established for that viewer. Individual viewer permissionsmay be established broadly for any one or more classes of programs orcategories, or specifically for any category.

Once editing of the preference structure, as required by the programcategory listing, is found complete at step 719 the processor initiatesplay routines 721. These include reading the program segment map 722from the disk and applying the existing viewer preference structure 723to determine the segments to be played and their sequence 724. Uponwhich the processor issues the sequence of player commands to operatethe transfer of the video information from the disk to the television725.

It should be noted that once a basic viewer preference structure andkeyword control has been read into the player's memory, and the playerviewer control is properly set up, a subsequent playing of any diskconforming to the basic category structure, need only involve insertingthe disk into the player and depressing the play button, whereupon theplayer will automatically initiate playing of the video program withoutthe necessity of any further viewer interaction. If viewer control isenabled, a viewer identification and or password entry would be the onlyother additional step required.

While an embodiment of the present invention has been explained in termsof a laser video disk player physically accessible by the viewer,variations of this embodiment of the present invention are alsopossible. For example, the video player need not be physically locatednear the television set. The patents to Fenwick et al. U.S. Pat. No.4,947,244 and to Eggers et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,432, by referenceincorporated herein, disclose remote video distribution systems such asmay be found in a hotel, wherein the viewer is provided remotecontrolled access to the video resources. Fiber optic communicationswould easily permit a greater distance between the player and thetelevision.

The embodiment of the present invention also need not be limited bylaser video disk technology. The program, the program content map, anduser routines may be provided to the viewer in any of a variety ofexisting and evolving technologies. These technologies include hardformats such as tape, laser disk, magnetic disk, combination laser oneside magnetic underside disk, memory chips and modules (e.g. RAM, DRAM,high capacity flash memory, bubble memory); and soft formats, such as ananalog or digital cable transmissions, fiber optic transmission, phoneand satellite communications.

Additionally, the entire program including all the parallel,overlapping, and transitional segments, and the program content map neednot be transmitted to the viewer. The program may be provided to theviewer in the form that results from the execution of the viewer contentpreference structure, i.e only those segments comprising a continuouslogical program that are consistent with the viewer preference structureis transmitted in real-time or a non real-time format.

In a fiber optic based broadband integrated services digital network("B-ISDN") implementation of the present invention, as previouslyoutlined, the video program is delivered to the viewer via a fiber opticnetwork.

An internal or external modem connects the video player with therequired fiber optic linkages and communication software. The capacity,and speed of the player's storage, the size and speed of the player'smemory and processor, and the capabilities of the modem device orintegrated service digital network retriever transmitter ("ISRT") orvideo retriever transmitter ("VRT") are dependent on the architectureimplemented by the program provider. Preferably, where the entireprogram is downloaded together with the required program content map anduser interface, the storage capacity and transfer rates included in theVRT will be significant.

This requirement may be reduced by applying the viewer preferencestructure to the program and transmitting, in total or in Groups, onlythose segments to be viewed. Alternatively, where the viewer remainson-line with the program provider during the transmission of the programand utilizes the hardware capabilities of the service provider, a VRT;including only a communication unit without local storage, processing,or memory, would be adequate.

It is within these VRT implementations that the various advantages andcapabilities of the present invention are realized. The versatility andusefulness is derived from its two way fiber optic digital linkage tothe B-ISDN. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention within aVRT architecture, the viewer or, more appropriately, the user's controlof the VRT is either through an infrared control keypad, wired orinfrared alphanumeric control keyboard, voice control, or systemcontrols directly on the VRT unit. The VRT will be linked to the userdesignated digital receiver monitor and to the B-ISDN by means of fiberoptic based communication devices. The VRT, monitor and keyboard willprovide the functional equivalent of a Graphical workstation.

In operation, the VRT normally provides a variety of communication andbackground services (e.g. videophone, video fax, security, appliancemanagement) to the user and therefore is ready to respond to an activeuser request. The user control's the VRT's functions by means of one ofthe control devices listed above, causing the VRT to provide power tothe receiver if necessary, and transmitting an appropriate menu, entryscreens, or services to the receiver as previously described. Theconfiguration of the handshaking is provided in a flexible and userconfigureable manner.

The following four examples describe how a user retrieves videoprograms:

In a first example, a user accesses, by means of the VRT, a programprovider of his choice. The user has a variety of ways to retrieveprograms including: i) specifying the program's title or code obtainedfrom a reference guide, ii) listing in alphabetical order by title,subject matter, actors, etc. in any combination, iii) tree structure ofthe program classifications, and iv) keyword searching and retrieval(similar to the Automated Patent Search implementation) enhanced by theprogram/segments descriptors. Once the program is selected, the userremains on-line utilizing the hardware of the program provider or a morelocal service center which obtains the program from the programprovider. The off-site hardware services will respond to the VRTcommands in a manner similar to that detailed previously for the playerimplementation of the present invention.

In a second example, a user will access a program provider and select aprogram, as indicated in the example above. Instead of remainingon-line, however, the user requests downloading the selected program. Inaddition to the program video, the program includes a map of the programsegments, any user interface routines particular to the program, and VRTcontrol codes, in a format consistent to that required by the VRTstorage capabilities. Utilization of the program will then be analogousto those steps detailed previously for the player implementation of thepresent invention.

In a third example, a user wishing to retrieve a summary, analysis, andbackground regarding a particular news event, will use one of thecontrol devices to order the automatic linkage with the B-ISDN servicecenter. The user then enters his/her request, and a keyword analysis ofthe request will then result in an on-line linkage through the servicecenter to a database containing information on the programbases for thesubject matter desired. In this example, a news source remotely locatedwill download a listing of the various sources of summary, analysis,background information, the corresponding segment descriptors whereavailable and necessary, and the overall lengths and costs, if any, ofeach segment. The user may at his/her leisure produce a request for avideo program for his own viewing. In this example, a program comprisinga 10 min summary from a news source, a 5 min analysis from anotherservice, a 10 min analysis from a private source, a 30 minute lecturefrom a university, and copies of a relevant data from the Library ofCongress are available.

Once the user finalizes the program segment choices, the request istransmitted to the service center wherein the various providers(libraries) which may be located anywhere in the world areelectronically requested to transmit the respective segments/programs,program content maps, and any user routines. These are logicallyassembled and merged by the service center and retransmitted to the usertogether with any billing information. The transmission andretransmission of the programs might be on a non real-time compresseddigitized device.

The event duration for our example may be 15 minutes of connect time, 2minutes of transmission time (for the 55 minute "program"). The costsfor the service may be less than a conventional movie, total cost couldbe approximately $6.00 with a partial rebate for the user selection toactivate the five minutes of targeted "commercials" that are included.The particular billing methods and apparatus required are currentlyimplemented in other on-line data retrieval services.

Since the VRT is both a retriever and a transmitter, the above "program"might be condensed by the user into a 10 minute summary and a 2 minutepersonal message and transmitted to another user, incurring connect timeand redistribution charges of about $2.00.

In a fourth example, a user may construct a content preference structureof any desired detail, including, for example, a variety of keywords todescribe the program's subject matter, the story line, possible endings,and approximate program playing time. The user will transmit thisinformation by means of the VRT to a program provider. The user willfurther indicate the program's delivery by requirement (minutes,overnight, days), and whether the request is for a single program or aseries of programs and their frequency.

The program provider will analyze the user request, search theprogrambase for a program matching the user's requirements. If theprogram is found, then program information and billing, if any, aretransmitted to the user for approval and subsequent program transmissionto the user. If the program is not found, the user's request isforwarded to an appropriate program producer for possible production.The "custom" programs generally follow a preestablished pertransmittedviewable minute fee structure based on the subject matter and nature ofthe program. Although other schemes are possible, production will dependon an expected or actual critical mass of viewers and any sponsorshipboth public and private that may be associated with the program. Thesystems communication architecture facilitates the communication andmarketing required to obtain the necessary viewers and sponsorship forproduction.

The variety of uses of such an architecture might include: i) sciencefiction enthusiast causing video production of a particular story, i.e a21st century version of "Romeo and Juliet"; ii) the desirability andstructure of a sequel determined by the consensus of viewers; iii)updating of news stories no longer deemed "current"; iv) Continuedappraisal of developments in a specified field or subject area, i.e.significant events which might affect the price of a specifiedcommodity; v) review of a political candidates positions; and vi)product purchasing and utilization information.

It is clearly the intent of the VRT implementation of the presentinvention to permit user(s) to efficiently obtain a transparentlycontinuous program to be viewed at the time of their choosing, overwhich they exercise complete control as to the subject matter, form ofexpression, and other elements comprising the program.

In terms of product and services advertising, and commercials ingeneral, the applicant recognizes that commercials have made possiblethe growth and development of freely broadcast programming. The varietyof viewer supported programming such as PBS, rented video programs, andpremium cable channels have struggled to maintain quality programmingand remain generally free of commercials by direct viewer payments andcontributions. It is intended that the methods of the present invention,that are applied to programming in general, and to commercials inparticular, lead to commercials (informationals) of greater value to theviewer and not necessarily to merely censor or exclude commercials.

As alluded to earlier, a viewer may not object to, and in fact mayrequest, the inclusion of commercials, which are informational innature, presented in a manner consistent with their taste level, for aproduct or service in which they may have an interest; especially if theacceptance for viewing of such a commercial will additionally reduce thecost of other programming obtained by the viewers. In this context, thesubsidizing of a program's cost to the viewer by commercials, is moreclosely matched to the viewers interest in the subject of thecommercial, and to the potential purchase by the viewer of that productor service.

Where the inclusion of commercials is consistent with theviewer-established preference structure and is accepted by the viewer asa condition of value received by the viewer, the transmission of thecommercial to the television is promoted by providing special segmentcodes that would inhibit the player or VRT functions (e.g. viewerpreference structure, skip function) from interfering with thattransmission.

While a presently preferred form of the present invention has been setforth in summary form here and above, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited thereby. In particular, the steps of theinventive process are interchangeable, may be interchanged and areequivalent. It is to be understood that the specific details shown aremerely illustrative and that the invention may be carried out in otherways without departing from the true spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A content map comprising:a plurality of segmentdefinitions defining a plurality of segments of a video responsive to anat least one preestablished content category; a descriptor associatedwith at least one of the segment definitions responsive to said at leastone preestablished content category; and a linkage of said plurality ofsegment definitions for enabling a video player, responsive to apreference with respect to said at least one preestablished contentcategory and by means of a buffering, to seamlessly skip a retrieval ofan at least one segment of said video, said video being provided by asingle source, and thereby play from said single source a seamlessversion of said video differing in length than the length of said video.2. The content map of claim 1, wherein said plurality of segments ofsaid video comprise a non-sequential segment.
 3. A content mapcomprising:defining and linking means for defining and linking aplurality of segments of a video responsive to a preestablished contentrating; descriptor means for describing the contents of an at least oneof said plurality of segments responsive to said preestablished contentrating; and said defining and linking means enabling a video player,responsive to a preference with respect to said content rating and bymeans of a buffering, to seamlessly skip a retrieval of an at least onesegment of said video, said video being provided by a single source, andthereby play from said single source a seamless version of said videodiffering in length than the length of said video.
 4. The content map ofclaim 3, wherein said video comprises a non-sequential segment, andwherein said single source providing said video is a laser readabledisc.
 5. A method of producing a content map comprising the stepsof:producing a plurality of segment definitions defining a plurality ofsegments of a video responsive to an at least one preestablished contentcategory; associating a descriptor with at least one of the segmentdefinitions responsive to said at least one preestablished contentcategory; and linking said plurality of segment definitions for enablinga video player, responsive to a preference with respect to said at leastone preestablished content category and by means of a buffering, toseamlessly skip a retrieval of an at least one segment of said video,said video being provided by a single source, and thereby play from saidsingle source a seamless version of said video differing in length thanthe length of said video.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein saidplurality of segments of said video comprise a non-sequential segment.7. A content map comprising:a plurality of segment definitions defininga plurality of segments of a video responsive to a preestablishedcontent rating; a label associated with said plurality of segmentdefinitions responsive to said preestablished content rating; and alinkage of said plurality of segment definitions for enabling a videoplayer, responsive to a preference with respect to said preestablishedcontent rating and by means of a buffering, to seamlessly skip aretrieval of an at least one segment of said video, said video beingprovided by a single source, and thereby play from said single source aseamless version of said video differing in length than the length ofsaid video.
 8. The content map of claim 7, wherein said video comprisesa non-sequential segment.
 9. A memory device storing a video and atleast one content map, said content map comprising:defining and linkingmeans for defining and linking a plurality of segment of said videoresponsive to a preestablished content rating; labeling means,responsive to said preestablished content rating, for labeling saidcontent map; and said defining and linking means enabling a videoplayer, responsive to a preference with respect to said preestablishedcontent rating and by means of a buffering, to seamlessly skip aretrieval of an at least one segment of said video, said video beingprovided by said memory device, and thereby play from said memory devicea seamless version of said video differing in length than the length ofsaid video.
 10. The memory device of claim 9, wherein said videocomprises a non-sequential segment, and wherein said memory device is alaser readable disc.